Broomfield began the day with a 23rd-place finish in the long jump with a top mark of 5.91 meters (19 feet, 4.75 inches). The Clarendon, Jamaica, native came into the event seeded 34th in the west region. She achieved her best mark of the day on her third attempt.

Broomfield’s effort was her third best of the outdoor season in the long jump. Her only better marks of 5.94 meters (19 feet, six inches) and 6.01 meters (19 feet, 8.75 inches) came at the Missouri Relays on April 12 and in winning the Missouri Valley Conference championship on May 18, respectively.

Babolayi started her second consecutive appearance in the NCAA prelims with a 34th-place run in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:00.34. A Mosetse, Botswana native, Babolayi placed sixth in her heat, which was won by Nnenya Hailey of Arizona in 57.10. Babolayi entered the meet with the No.-30 time in region at 59.24 and ran her fourth-best time of the outdoor season Thursday.

Husbands finished the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.01 to place seventh in her heat and 39th overall. Olivia Okpone from Texas A&M won the heat in 11.35. Husbands, of St. Philip, Barbados, held the 36th seed in the event with a time 11.67. The run Thursday was the fifth best of her outdoor season.

Maximilien closed the first day of competition for the Bears, placing 30th overall in the 400-meter dash in 54.28 for fifth in her heat, which Briana Nelson of Texas won (52.05). Maximilen’s time was her third best of the season, trailing only her mark of 54.15, achieved at Arkansas on April 5, and her MVC-winning time of 54.12 from May 18.

Broomfield and Husbands get another shot at NCAA West Preliminary field Friday. Broomfield will compete in the triple jump at 5 p.m., while Husbands runs in the 200-meter dash first round at 8:25 p.m.